Story perspectives

Venus Williams Loses US Open Singles Wild Card

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Venus Williams entered the US Open singles draw on a wild card and lost to Sofia Kenin.
Venus and Serena Williams received wild cards to compete together in US Open doubles, their first joint appearance since 2022.
Andrea Preti encouraged Venus to keep playing despite her 2025 uterine fibroid surgery.
Preti proposed in Tuscany in January 2025 and they married in Italy before a December celebration in Florida.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, Venus and Serena Williams captured the Wimbledon women’s doubles title, marking the first Grand Slam victory for the sibling duo. The pair earned $1.5 million in prize money and secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Davenport and Novotna. Four decades later, the Williams sisters entered the 2025 US Open on wild cards, with Venus returning after uterine fibroid surgery and a Tuscan marriage to Andrea Preti. Their comeback underscores veteran resilience, prompting the USTA to consider expanding wild-card policies for seasoned players seeking competitive relevance.

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Story summary

Venus Williams entered the US Open singles draw on a wild card and lost to Sofia Kenin.
Venus and Serena Williams received wild cards to compete together in US Open doubles, their first joint appearance since 2022.
Andrea Preti encouraged Venus to keep playing despite her 2025 uterine fibroid surgery.
Preti proposed in Tuscany in January 2025 and they married in Italy before a December celebration in Florida.

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